From the sixth floor waiting room I call my mother. This time she answers, and I update her on Raymond Steele’s condition.
She takes a deep breath. “It sounds critical. I want to come and see him—”
“Mom. You don’t—”
“No. Christian. I want to. Ana is family. I have to come down and check on him myself. Carrick and I will drive down.”
“I can fly you down.”
“What?”
“My helicopter is here, but Taylor is taking it back to Seattle. Stephan can fly you down here.”
“That sounds good. Let’s do that.”
“Okay. I’ll let Taylor know, and you can liaise with him.”
“I’ll do that. Christian, Ray is in good hands.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
I call Taylor and let him know about my mother.
Then I call Andrea. “Mr. Grey. How’s Mr. Steele?”
“He’s in serious condition. We’ll be here for at least two nights. I’m going to have to do something for Ana’s birthday here, if we do anything at all. Maybe a private dinner, if she’s up to it. I’d like her family and our friends to attend, too. But we should see how Ray does during the night.”
“I can talk to The Heathman and see if they’ll accommodate a private dinner.”
“Good. Ana needs her mom, so let’s bring her and her husband out as planned. Book rooms for them, for my folks and the rest of our guests, and make provisional arrangements to get them here. My mother will be joining us this evening. Please book her into The Heathman tonight.”
“Will do.”
“Find out José Rodriguez’s cell number. I’d like to invite him, too.”
“I’ll text you.”
“Thanks, Andrea.” I hang up and call Mrs. Jones to confirm that tomorrow’s surprise dinner party at Escala is canceled.
“I hope Mr. Steele makes a swift recovery,” Gail says.
“Yes. I do, too. I’m sorry about tomorrow.”
“It’s no trouble, Mr. Grey. There’ll be another time.”
“There will. Thanks, Gail.” I hang up and return to the ICU. At the nurses’ station I give Kellie my cell number and Ana’s, with instructions to call us if there’s a change in Ray’s condition. It’s time I took my wife for something to eat.
When I return to Ray’s bedside, Ana is talking to him and her tears have ceased. She’s composed and her face shines with her love for the man out cold and prostrate beside her.
It’s an affecting sight.
And I feel I’m intruding.
But I don’t want to go.
Quietly, I take a seat and listen to her soft, sweet voice. She’s asking him to come to Aspen, where I’ll take him fishing. Her words tug at my heart. Ana is my family now, like my mother said, and by extension, so is Ray. I see us side by side, casting flies in the Roaring Fork River or up on Snowmass Lake. Ray taciturn. Me relaxed and equally taciturn.
The two of us sharing a beer later.
“Mr. Rodriguez and José will be welcome, too. It’s such a beautiful house. There’s room for all of you. Please be here to do that, Daddy. Please.”
Okay. Ray, José Senior, José, and me fishing together.
Yes. I could do that.
She turns and notices me.
“Hi,” I murmur.
“Hi.”
“So, I’m going fishing with your dad, Mr. Rodriguez, and José?”
She nods.
“Okay.” I smile in agreement. “Let’s go eat. Let him sleep.” Ana frowns, and I know she doesn’t want to leave her father. “Ana, he’s in a coma. I’ve given our cell numbers to the nurses here. If there’s any change, they’ll call us. We’ll eat, check in to a hotel, rest up, then come back this evening.”
She looks longingly at Ray, then back at me. “Okay,” she capitulates.
Ana stands in the doorway of our suite at The Heathman, surveying the familiar room. She looks shell-shocked.
Or perhaps she’s remembering the first time I brought her here, though that’s doubtful, as she was blind drunk at the time. I place her briefcase beside one of the sofas. “Home away from home,” I murmur.
It was certainly home to me while I was pursuing Miss Steele to be my submissive.
And now here we are.
Husband and wife.
Finally she enters, and stands in the middle of the room, looking lost and forlorn.
Oh, Ana. What can I do? “Do you want a shower? A bath? What do you need, Ana?” I’m desperate to help her in any way I can.
“A bath. I’d like a bath,” she mutters.
“Bath. Good. Yes.” I stride into the en suite, relieved to have a purpose, and turn on the faucets. The water pours in, and I add some sweet-smelling bath oil, which instantly begins to foam. I slip out of my jacket and take off my tie as my phone buzzes. It’s a text from Andrea with José’s mobile number. I’ll deal with that later.
Ana’s in the bedroom, staring at the Nordstrom bags, when I reenter. “I sent Taylor to get some things. Nightwear. You know.” She nods but says nothing, her desolation obvious in her blank look. My heart yearns to take her pain away. “Oh, Ana, I’ve not seen you like this. You’re normally so brave and strong.”
She returns my gaze, mute and helpless.
Slowly, she crosses her arms, hugging herself as if caught in an icy draft, and I can bear it no more. I fold her into my embrace, offering her the warmth of my body. “Baby, he’s alive. His vital signs are good. We just have to be patient.” She shudders, and I don’t know if she’s cold, or if it’s the shock of seeing Ray brought so low. “Come.” Taking her hand, I lead her into the bathroom, slowly undress her, and help her into the bath. She fastens her hair in a gravity-defying bun, slips beneath the foam, and closes her eyes. I take it as my cue to undress and join her. Climbing in behind her, I settle into the hot water and pull her against my front so we’re both lying in the warm, soothing waters, her feet on mine.
As time moves on, Ana relaxes against me.
I let out a sigh of relief and allow myself a moment of respite from the dread that lingers in the pit of my stomach.
I hope to God that Ray will be okay.
Ana will fall apart if he’s not.
And I’m powerless to help.